CRAIG Kieswetter celebrated gaining his England qualification when he blasted a 32-ball half century for the Lions in their final T20 match of the series against Pakistan A in Abu Dhabi, writes Richard Walsh.

However, despite of the Somerset youngster's achievements it wasn't quite enough to prevent the Lions losing out off the final ball of the match.

Batting first Lions openers Steve Davies and Kieswetter took the total to 58 before the former was out in the sixth over for 17.

Kieswetter was once again in top form and had moved to 50 off just 32 balls, including five fours and three sixes before he was stumped off the first delivery of the tenth over with the total on 75.

Pete Trego, the Cidermen's other representative in the Lions team, came in at number six and hit an unbeaten 14 off nine balls, which included two fours as England closed on 146 for four from their 20 overs.

Pakistan A reached their target off the penultimate ball of the match but Kieswetter ended the three-match series as the leading scorer, making a total of 167 runs for once out, including two half centuries. He was also the leading six-hitter for the Lions with seven to his credit from three innings. Somerset director of cricket Brian Rose has likened Kieswetter's style to that of a young Kevin Pietersen and believes he is headed for England honours.

Rose said: "Craig is in a head-to-head situation with Steven Davies in terms of selection for the World Cup and other things. The way he has played with the Lions on this tour means he is really cementing his place at the forefront of the selectors minds.

"At the end of the day I think he will be selected because of the style in which he plays his cricket. He is such an exciting player and looks almost as Kevin Pietersen did when he came onto the England scene."

Rose added: "Craig's ability to strike the ball is there for everybody to see and that is where he scores over others and I would almost pick him just as a batsman."

The Lions take on the full England team in a T20 match in Abu Dhabi today before playing the first of three 50-over games against Pakistan A in Dubai at the weekend.